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No decision will be made in the case of Miles Womack vs. the city of Quincy before 60 days, although both sides finished testimony Sept. 24.

Womack is suing the city because he was never notified that the city was no longer using Interlocken Lakes, owned by Womack, as a backup to the water system. The city agreed in 1998 to use the lakes because of the poor quality of the city's drinking water at the time.

The city of Quincy has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to construct a new fire station. Fire Chief Howard Smith said he received a letter Sept. 24 from Sen. Bill Nelson, congratulating the city on the award.

The new station will be constructed in the city's business park on Joe Adams Road. Smith said he applied for the grant, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus package) because a new fire department met the criteria.

They joke that they are the best paid group of people in Gadsden County because they work for free. What they lack in money is made up by the satisfaction they derive from helping others. The volunteers of Mother Care Network Inc. were honored Sept. 28 with a dinner and praise for what they have given to the community.

I fell victim to a nasty sinus infection last week. I think it had been coming on for several days, as I’d been sniffly and sneezy for a while, along with a few other symptoms, including a headache and achy joints.

But I quickly made my way to the doctor, and got a Z-Pack, which is a fast way to get over anything that ails you.

Last week a young man from Florida A&M University called me. He said he was a journalism student and was interested in a career shadowing experience. My first thought was that I was busy Thursday with a trial, my regular work and a lecture at the art center. I did not want to be a babysitter for someone who, when they found out that journalists make no money, would run for a higher paying job.

When is the last time you “sold yourself short?” If you’re not familiar with that particular phrase, when is the last time you may have talked yourself out of doing something, because for one reason or another, you didn’t think you were up to the task at hand?

Administrative law judge Lisa Nelson recently ruled that I, as former principal of Carter-Parramore Academy, was justified in using pepper spray during two altercations at the school in 2007. The Florida Department of Education had sought to revoke my certification as an educator.

However, after an evidentiary hearing, the judged ruled that I did what any reasonable person should have done to protect himself, his staff and students from two dangerous situations. Nelson confirmed that I had violated no laws and was not guilty of violating any of the rules of the FDOE.

In my opinion, there is no legitimate reason for county EMS director Brian Beasley to suffer suspension for doing an excellent job. Almost every week, Brian is on TV bringing in grants to Gadsden County. Unlike the US Army, whose mission is to kill, Beasley's job is to save lives.

If an ambulance reaches a citizen's residence late, it's not Beasley's fault.

Beasley does not need to be home, but rather on the job so that he can continue to be instrumental in saving lives.

I worked with the Gadsden County hospital when it was moved from what is now the Gadsden County Sheriff's Offices. In the 2 years I worked with the hospital, my hours were cut twice from 40 hours per week to 20 hours a week. This was in the mid-1980s. The hospital didn't make enough money then and hasn't since that time.

On April 26, 2007, I had an occasion whereby I had to use the services of the Urgent Care. I have Medicare and a supplement insurance that pays what Medicare doesn't.

On Sept. 28 there were 182 inmates in the Gadsden County Jail – the facility was built to house 150. Still, 182 is low when compared to more than 250 on most days in 2008.

Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young said he is constantly working with judges, the state attorney and the public defender to reduce the jail population. He invited Michael Elchenko II from iSECUREtrac, a company that makes and sells ankle tracking devices, to demonstrate how the devices work and if they would be a viable option for the county.